The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has strongly condemned the harassment and intimidation of Ladi Bala, a Transport Reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa.

In a statement issued by the Council’s Secretary, Jide Oyekunle, the Union described as unacceptable the verbal abuse and intimidation meted out on Ms. Bala on August 27, 2025, while she was discharging her professional and legal duties covering the aftermath of the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment.

According to the statement, Mr. Opeifa aggressively questioned the presence of the journalist, disrupted her live reporting, and allegedly threatened her with physical removal from the scene. The NUJ said such conduct constitutes a blatant violation of the fundamental rights and dignity of journalists, particularly women in the profession, and represents a grave threat to press freedom and the safety of those dedicated to delivering truthful information to the public.

The Union further stressed that the NRC boss’s behaviour contravenes the right to freedom of expression and press freedom as guaranteed under Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The NUJ, FCT Council, therefore demanded an immediate and unreserved public apology from Mr. Opeifa and called on the Nigerian Railway Corporation to take decisive measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.